“We really prioritize training the posterior chain,” said Dave Rienzi, the renowned trainer of WWE star-turned-Hollywood icon Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, during a 2022 interview with Men’s Health. Rienzi revealed how he helped the former multiple-time WWE champ and TKO board member to prepare for his role in the superhero movie Black Adam. All of this was done keeping in mind that the actor could transform his physique without risking injury in his 50s. A key component of their training was performing Romanian deadlifts two to three times a week to strengthen the back muscles while enhancing explosiveness.

It is safe to say that Deadlifts have long been a staple of strength training, not just for Johnson, but for bodybuilders and gym enthusiasts alike. For nearly a century, people have widely used variations of the exercise, many dubbing it the “full-body exercise” or the “king of exercises.” However, one of the most vocal critics of the exercise is UFC color commentator and podcaster Joe Rogan, who believes deadlifts can “f— your backup.” During the JRE episode #2286, while speaking with former NFL star Antonio Brown, the podcaster and his guest labeled deadlifts the “worst” exercise.

The UFC commentator discussed how deadlifts were originally conceptualized by “powerlifters,” stating, “It’s supposed to make your back strong. It’s supposed to make your overall chain strong. It’s one of the best exercises to make your overall chain strong. A lot of stress on that lower back.” However, Rogan argued that the deadlift does not deliver these benefits. He emphasized the conversation with professional strongman Robert Oberst, who appeared on JRE five years ago. Despite competing at the highest levels of strength sports, Oberst revealed he never performed deadlifts.

Instead, he shared, “All I do is hang cleans and power cleans.” After transitioning from football to strongman, Oberst made it clear that he intentionally avoided deadlifts—similar to many football players who steer clear of the exercise altogether. Antonio Brown echoed this sentiment, arguing that deadlifts have no practical application in fights or real street combat.

Joe Rogan weighed in on the debate, delivering his final take: “No matter what you do, as you’re lifting, even if you’re fully extending and stretching your body forward, you’re straining your back. When you have that enormous amount of weight, there’s no way you’re decompressing your back.”

There is no doubt that deadlifts are a challenging exercise, endorsed by celebrities like Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds, as well as supported by doctors and scientists. However, like any other workout, they come with both risks and rewards. Given the considerable stress the movement places on the spine, maintaining proper form and technique is essential. Those who execute the deadlift correctly often experience impressive results—something even Robert Oberst has acknowledged in the past. But is the deadlift truly essential? Let’s hear Robert Oberst’s perspective.

Robert Oberst revealed to Joe Rogan who should be deadlifting

“If I could only do one exercise, it would be deadlifting,” said Hugh Jackman, the iconic X-Men star, who, at 56, continues to dominate the box office with his portrayal of Wolverine. Jackman has continued to maintain a muscular physique for his role over the years, and he’s likely to continue playing the part for a few more years. He even hit a personal best of 435 pounds in the deadlift, showcasing impressive strength for a professional actor. Jackman’s commitment to strength training has earned him well-deserved respect in the fitness community.

Yet, professional strongman Robert Oberst, a two-time competition finalist with a personal best of 880 pounds, argued that deadlifts aren’t suitable for everyone. While Oberst frequently challenged himself with this intense exercise, he stressed that the average person should think twice before attempting it.

During a conversation on Joe Rogan’s podcast (Episode #1321), Oberst bluntly stated, “If you’re deadlifting to be a better dead lifter, fine. If you’re not, and you’re doing it just for deadlift’s sake, don’t f—— do it. The risk-to-reward ratio is a joke… It’s so hard to be a good d–d lifter without risking your lower back, and using your upper back properly. There are so many opportunities to get hurt.”

What do you think of Joe Rogan’s and Antonio Brown’s claims about deadlifts? Do you agree that deadlifting is an exercise best left to professionals like Robert Oberst, or do you believe it has value for regular gym-goers as well? Share your thoughts below!